Biloxi ball game

[Kathleen Shea]

The Poncas in Oklahoma play shinny on four Sundays in April, an old tradition.  It's kind of like field hockey, with curved sticks and two teams with goals at opposite ends of the field.  The ball is special and kept by the Martin Blueback family, the head of which officiates at the games.  Most of the players (all men, but of all ages) make their own sticks.  There are rules, but it can be a very rough game.  Uncle Parrish (my consultant) told me that at one time (within his memory) the Gives Water family held a shinny game every year that could be very rough, with the brothers-in-law playing against the sisters-in-law, but that's the only instance I've heard of women playing.

Kathy
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rankin, Robert L 
  To: siouan at lists.colorado.edu 
  Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2007 5:01 PM
  Subject: RE: Biloxi ball game


  Mrs. Rowe talked about the Kaws playing "shinny".  I think Justin mentioned that the Kaws and Osages had recently competed.  Maybe he can fill you in.

  Bob


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  From: owner-siouan at lists.colorado.edu on behalf of David Kaufman
  Sent: Sun 1/14/2007 3:05 PM
  To: Siouan List
  Subject: Biloxi ball game


  Hi all, and Happy New Year.

  Since there are terms in the Biloxi dictionary for a ball and ball club, I'm wondering if they played the Choctaw/Cherokee game Stickball, apparently the precursor of La Crosse.  I'm basing this on cultural contact, such as the Biloxi borrowing the idea of the blowgun from the Choctaw.  Or, was there some type of ball game played among other Siouan tribes?  

  The Maya, of course, had their own type of ball game, which apparently usually ended in the sacrificing (beheading) of one or the other team.  I haven't acquainted myself with all its rules although they apparently couldn't use their arms or legs in touching the ball and they apparently had some type of hoop they could put the ball through for extra points (a la basketball).  I don't think the Mayan ball game had a North American counterpart though, or did it?

  Any thoughts?

  Dave


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